William Gerald Lenehan, a 65-year-old man from Preston, was involved in a determined and premeditated scheme to facilitate child sexual abuse through online communications. In May 2017, Lenehan initiated contact with an undercover police officer from Kent Police, who was posing as a father willing to abuse his two young daughters aged three and six. Using the alias 'Exciting Times' and later 'Gary' on platforms like Kik Messenger, Lenehan employed secure email services such as Yandex and Protonmail, both based in Russia and known for not cooperating with law enforcement. He frequently changed email addresses for security and advised the officer to do the same, while also accessing the dark web and installing software on his mobile phone to obscure his browsing history and location via VPNs.
Over two months, from May to July 2017, Lenehan engaged in explicit discussions about abusing children, describing acts he wished to perform and encouraging the officer to carry out indecent acts with his supposed daughters, including rape, and to send photographs or videos. He expressed enjoyment of their 'pervy chats' and lamented that such activities were illegal. Lenehan sent the officer several custom-made first-generation indecent images of children, including one of an eight-year-old girl holding a placard with his Kik username and the date, which were later traced to a convicted individual in Torquay. He also attempted to arrange a real-world meeting to jointly abuse the children.
The investigation began in early 2017 as part of a Kent Police operation to identify individuals arranging child sex offences. Using Lenehan's IP address from Kik, officers traced him to Devonshire Place in Preston. Although he was working in France at the time, Lenehan was arrested at Manchester Airport on 17 August 2017. A search of his seized mobile phone, which he had owned since 2012, revealed 61 indecent images and videos of children aged five to ten, categorised as one Category A (most serious), three Category B, and 57 Category C. One video depicted abuse lasting over five minutes. The phone contained tools for permanent deletion of files, secure communications, and dark web access, with attempts to delete the images evident.
At Preston Crown Court, Prosecutor Mercedes Jabbari detailed the 'premeditated' nature of Lenehan's actions, quoting his messages where he suggested trading 'heavy stuff' after receiving initial images. Lenehan pleaded guilty to encouraging the taking and sending of indecent images of children, distributing indecent images, and possessing indecent images. Defence barrister Shirlie Duckworth described the period as one of 'insanity' for Lenehan, noting his voluntary engagement with the Lucy Faithful Foundation to prevent child sexual abuse and his efforts to address alcohol misuse. She argued for community supervision for rehabilitation and public protection, highlighting that he had lost his job, family contact, and committed no further offences since arrest.
Judge Beverley Lunt rejected the defence's plea, stating the behaviour was 'concerted, determined and perverted' with no adequate explanation, dismissing claims of boredom or unmet sexual needs abroad. She emphasised Lenehan's use of Russian servers and planning, noting he likely contacted multiple parents. Lenehan, now residing on Gargrave Road in Skipton, was sentenced on 20 January 2020 to 31 months in prison, ordered to sign the sex offenders register indefinitely, and given a Sexual Harm Prevention Order.